Kansas city LAN Party

Microsoft Zune Green 4GB MP3 / MP4 Player

computer guru — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 15:30:49 +0000

Microsoft Zune 1.8″ Green 4GB MP3 / MP4 Player

[caption id="attachment_42" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Green 4GB Zune, with originals art"][/caption]

Wahoo! I feel so cool, I just got a Zune! Funny thing is, a lot of people asked me before-hand “why didn’t you get an Ipod… I’ve never heard of a Zune before” now many of those same people are saying things like “Jeez, I wish I would of known about the Zune when I got my Ipod.” Learn to do some product research people! Besides I hate copycat products so there was no way I was getting an Ipod! I mean seriously, just look at them they’re designed almost exactly alike, especially as far as looks go. (And yes, the Zune was first, there are several beta product photos out that pre-date the Ipod by a long shot, before the Zune even had a rightful name).

Anyways, at a decent quality setting ripping my CD’s to my computer I’ve only been able to fit around 1,000 songs, both Charlie the Unicorn videos, and a few photos on my Zune, but that’s not so bad. It’s only a 4gig one so I can’t say too much. I was just kinda looking for something that I could listen to in the car when driving home from taking Rose to her house (no radio in car), and have a decent song collection when I am away from the computer (God forbid I should ever leave the computer!) the Zune has filled those tasks quite nicely!

HDD enclosure wedded with multi-function dock — has to be Brando

computer dude — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 07:23:32 +0000

We’re still torn on whether we’d have this or one of those always-evolving HDD Stage Racks at our desk, but really, you can’t go wrong either way. Brando’s 2.5-inch SATA HDD Enclosure with Multi-Function Dock pretty much explains itself, but if you struggle with piecing things together, we’re here to help. The unit holds any 2.5-inch SATA drive you care to insert, and the base doubles as a 2-port USB hub and multicard reader. The whole thing is just $25 — the tough part is choosing between red or black. Hmm.

Pac-Man Roomba created with 448 LEDs

computer dude — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 07:22:35 +0000

We were beginning to wonder if the Roomba hacking community had been sucked dry of ideas, but leave it to longjie0723 to give us hope yet. This Roomba hacker (yeah, he also rigged his up for Wiimote control) managed to solder 448 yellow LEDs onto a board and program said devices to move in such a way that a Pac-Man-type image is seen. C’mon, who hasn’t dreamed of having that ghost-inhaler work his magic on those forsaken floors? Check the video after the jump.

[Via Hack N Mod]

World’s largest 3D display revealed in 4D spacetime

computer dude — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 07:21:28 +0000

Ooo, ahhh, you feeling that 3D display on your 2D panel? You should, it’s the world’s largest 3D LCD panel from VMJ measuring in at 65-inches. The stereoscopic panel developed with support from VisuMotion features a 1920 x 1080 resolution, 6-ms refresh, 120-degree viewing angle, and DVI and RGB inputs. Best of all, no goofy 3D glasses of any type are required thanks to the incorporation of Sharp’s Parallax Barrier viewing technology. Priced at ¥3.15 million (about $30k) when it starts advertising CosaNostra Pizza around Mr. Lee’s Greater Hong Kong.

[Via Akihabara News and Impress]

DARPA’s Nano Air Vehicle program puts UAVs on a diet

computer dude — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:20:18 +0000

It’s not like DARPA hasn’t been trying to miniaturize unmanned aerial vehicles already, but its Nano Air Vehicle program is yet another attempt to find tiny, ultra-lightweight devices that could theoretically “perform indoor and outdoor military missions.” More specifically, it’s looking for something less than 7.5-centimeters and under 10-grams, and the overriding goal is to “explore novel, bio-inspired, conventional and unconventional configurations to provide the warfighter with unprecedented capability for urban mission operations.” Reportedly, AeroVironment already has an idea in mind for such a drone (pictured), but as these type things always go, we’ve no idea how soon we’ll see critters like these take to the skies with a thumb-sized American flag plastered on the side.

[Via BoingBoing]

Newman’s Cool Man MP3 player: yes that’s a safety pin, stud

computer dude — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 07:19:13 +0000

In one fell swoop, Newman shows the industry how to get its ass back into plastic. The Cool Man MP3 player is anything but, man. Unless you’re still wearing that acid-washed, Blondie pin collector from your 80’s wardrobe. The DAP features an OLED display, MP3/WMA support, built-in mic and bleb poppin’ safety pin. And that juicy orange? We have no fracking idea since the player is about as waterproof as a, as a… well, entry-level MP3 player.

Steve Ballmer retirement: 2018, if Bill doesn’t get in the way

computer dude — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 07:17:47 +0000

As you’re undoubtably aware, Bill Gates is set to retire on June 27th at the ripe old age of 52. Bill’s Harvard bud, Mr. Dancin’ Steve Ballmer, also 52 and a notable fan of the developers, has been itching to take over since his appointment as CEO back in 2000. Speaking at an event on Tuesday, we now know that he intends to remain in command, “for another nine or 10 years… until my last kid goes away to college.” Still, as easy-going as the relationship appeared at D, the transition was forged in fire. In fact, the power conflict was reportedly so severe, according to the Wall Street Journal, that it “paralyzed business strategy decision that the company still wrestles with today.” The tension at least once unravelled into a public shouting match (no really, from Ballmer?) between the two. The struggle was apparently resolved in 2001 when Bill finally accepted that he was number 2, “I had to change,” says Gates. Keep in mind that Bill will continue “working” for Microsoft one day a week and serve as the chairman of the board after his so-called retirement. And with Ballmer packing up Gates with a parting quote like, “I’m not going to need him for anything. That’s the principle. Use him, yes, need him, no,” well, let’s just say things don’t seem 100% resolved.

Read — Retirement
Read — Conflict

T-Mobile ollies with Tony Hawk Sidekick LX

computer dude — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 07:16:35 +0000

The rumored Tony Hawk edition of the Sidekick LX is said to be making its first public appearance today, looking every bit the part with a “skateboard look and feel” made complete with “grip-tape-texture” and the skateboarding icon’s name plastered across the display’s bezel. This one isn’t just about branding, though — it’s being said that T-Mobile will use the occasion to launch a rather hearty LX firmware update that includes video recording, stereo Bluetooth, additional themes, some sort of video sharing capability, and more; it’ll be available to all LX owners some time this summer via an over-the-air update. Meanwhile, the very special Tony Hawk piece should be made available to buyers in mid-July.

[Via Boy Genius Report]

Sanyo’s Xacti HD1010 1080i camcorder shoots 300fps slow-mo

computer dude — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 07:12:21 +0000

In its battle with Sony for 1080i pistol grips, Sanyo just announced a minor, but notable update to its premium HD1000 Full HD MPEG-4 AVC/H.264 camcorder. The new HD1010 adds improved image processing and stabilization, new “face chaser” technology for stills and video, and amusing new 300fps slow-motion mode. Nothing compared to Casio’s freakish EX-F1 but a nice novelty for shooting the kids’ sporting adventures. Sanyo also tossed in a new 7fps continuous still shot mode which snags images at the sensor’s maximum 4 megapixel resolution. A minor bump for sure but it makes for a compelling offering at the (relatively) low asking price of $800 when it hits the US in July (Japan, June 20th).

Update: Akihabara News went hands-on in the video posted after the break.

[Via Impress and Akihabara News]

Walgreens to erect largest sign in Times Square, use just 12 million LEDs

computer dude — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 07:10:08 +0000

You know that impossible-to-miss NASDAQ sign on Broadway at 43rd Street in New York City? Yeah, the one that’s 11,000-square feet in size. The Walgreen Company has set out to make that look like child’s play, as it aims to erect a 250,000-pound sign at a three-level emporium in Times Square. Said display will reportedly be used to “raise [the drugstore's] visibility in New York,” while doubling as a “focal point for it nationally.” This beast will be covered in 12 million LEDs — 17,000 square feet of them, to be exact — and you can only imagine the hardware that will be required behind the scenes to keep this thing up and running. If you just can’t wait until next fall to peep this in person, head southward to the read link and dig in.

[Thanks, Brock]